Colombo hopes to play in postseason

Calvin Watkins covers the Houston Rockets and the NBA for ESPN.com. He joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He's covered the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers as well as colleges, boxing and high school sports.

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys received some good news on the injury front when right tackle Marc Colombo (ankle surgery, fractured fibula) said he's been cleared for individual drills and hopes to return to the field if his team reaches the playoffs.

Colombo, who said he got out of a walking boot a week and half ago, suffered the injury on Nov. 15 at Green Bay. He underwent surgery the next day to repair ligament damage in his ankle. The fractures in the fibula healed naturally.

Colombo has missed the last five games after not missing a game for three consecutive seasons.

Also, backup tight end Martellus Bennett (concussion) said he's been cleared to practice after missing the last two games. Whether or not Bennett regains his spot is uncertain with John Phillips playing so well at New Orleans last Saturday.

Phillips had three catches for 40 yards in the win over the Saints and was praised by coach Wade Phillips and owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

Calvin Watkins covers the Cowboys for ESPN Dallas. You can follow him on Twitter or leave a question for his weekly mailbag.